MANILA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine army announced on Thursday that it is recruiting 8,000 more soldiers this year, or more than double the number of its regular yearly recruitment quota.
"This is higher than the regular 3,600 annual quota replacement in the army," the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement, stressing the army's need to "build its forces to better serve and aid in the peace and development efforts of the government."
"The higher quota is also due to the ongoing activation of 10 additional Army Infantry Battalions which aims to further strengthen the Philippine Army's capability, to be more responsive in addressing the various threats, particularly terrorism that besets the country," the statement read.
The recruitment centers have been set up in the capital and in the provinces.
"The continued recruitment of the Philippine Army is a good opportunity for our youth to discover a new dimension on how to better serve and show their love for our country," said Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva.
The Philippine Army, under its chief Lt Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, vowed "to continue to strive as it gets close to its milestone of a modern and respected Army in Asia that is faithfully serving and protecting its people."
The five-month fighting to retake Marawi claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people, including 974 terrorists and 165 soldiers and policemen.
The Philippines continues to battle several rebel or terrorist groups, including the decades-old Leftist insurgents that are trying to overthrow the government and the IS-militants that continue to sow terror especially in the southern Philippines.